by Kitty Neale
‘Yeah, probably, and a couple of them went off in a huff. Never mind, I’ll soon charm them back. After all, how can they resist this smile, and who else is going to flatter them? Not their husbands, that’s for sure.’
‘You don’t half love yourself.’
‘Not true,’ Eddie protested. ‘It’s you I love so come here and give me a kiss.’
She obliged, then said, ‘Pearl’s been moved from intensive care.’
‘Has she? That’s brilliant.’
‘Yes, it is, but as I know Derek is worried about the gossip I spoke to one of those reporters today.’
‘You did what?’
‘All right, Eddie, don’t get on your high horse. I just told him that Pearl isn’t anything like that story in the local paper, but he wasn’t interested. He said she’s old news.’
‘If that’s the case, let’s hope he buggers off now.’
‘I don’t think he will. He wants to find out about Adrianna, and though I told him that none of us knows anything about her, I don’t think he believed me. He’s still going to try to talk to Derek or John, even Emily.’
‘He’ll be wasting his time,’ Eddie said. ‘They won’t talk to the press.’
‘I know, and at least the other reporters have gone now. I’m going to ask Derek if I can open the shop again.’
‘When Pearl comes home do you think she’ll be up to running it?’
‘She walked a few steps today, so I think so, though maybe not at first.’
‘If you take it on, don’t get too cosy,’ Eddie said. ‘When we’re married you’ll be giving up work, and it isn’t that far off.’
‘Hold on, who said I’m giving up work?’
‘It stands to reason,’ he said. ‘You’ll have me to look after you.’
‘I can still work and with two lots of money coming in, we can make this place look like a palace.’
Eddie pursed his lips, but then said, ‘Yeah, all right, but you’ll have to give up work when a baby comes along.’
‘What if I don’t want any more kids?’
‘Oh, Lucy, don’t say that.’
‘Don’t look so horrified. I’m only joking and though a baby will have to wait until we’re married, there’s nothing to stop us getting in a bit of practice,’ she said, playfully unbuttoning his shirt.
‘Help! Somebody help me! This woman is trying to seduce me.’
‘You daft sod,’ Lucy said, but then it was Eddie who was doing the seducing and she was more than happy to let him.
The man Derek had looked out for was nowhere near the hospital. He’d taken a huge risk in going there the day before, and had scuttled back to the safety of his small room in a boarding house.
He too had read the local paper that morning and threw it aside in disgust. It told him nothing about the family now and only raked up the past – a past he was familiar with.
Unable to find out what he wanted to know, it was torture to wait, but the High Street with its market was a busy place and it wasn’t the best time to make his move.
With heavy furniture and dark curtains, his room felt oppressive and he decided to risk going for a walk. He could wander along by the Embankment, or maybe find an out-of-the-way pub.
With his mind made up, he pulled on his overcoat, the trilby hat and went downstairs. He was just about to open the street door when the landlady appeared, saying sternly, ‘I see you’re going out, but I must remind you that I lock up at eleven o’clock and not a minute later.’
‘I know,’ he said shortly and then opened the door to step out into the chilly, dark night. He wandered, barely taking in his surroundings as his mind dwelled on his problems.
Two hours later he returned, the landlady letting him in with barely a smile. He went up to his room, undressed, climbed into bed and pulled the blankets up to his chin.
He had at last come to a decision. He was going to wait until Sunday evening before making his move. There would be few people about, and with any luck he’d be able to get inside without being seen by prying eyes.
He closed his eyes, but sleep was a long time in coming. He had no idea what the consequences were going to be, prison probably, but he wasn’t going to let the fear of that stop him from doing what he knew he had to do.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Saturday morning loomed cold and wet, but the weather wasn’t going to stand in Connie Lewis’s way. As always she had to put up with help to fasten her buttons, hating it that she was incapable now of dressing herself. She had her breakfast, porridge again, but at least it was something she could eat without aid. She could just about grip a spoon, whereas cutting up anything with a knife and fork was now beyond her.
The morning dragged, but at last she took out her hat and coat. Though the coat had larger buttons this time she still couldn’t fasten them and had to resort to asking for help again.
‘Mrs Lewis, you really can’t go out again,’ the young woman protested.
‘This isn’t a prison. I’ll go out if I want to and you can call me a taxi.’
‘You know we aren’t supposed to let residents leave the premises unaccompanied. I’ll get into trouble again.’
‘I won’t be alone. The taxi driver will be with me, and as before, I’ll ask him to wait. This is an emergency. I have to visit a sick friend, but I shouldn’t be more than an hour.’
‘I’m not sure about this, Mrs Lewis. I should get permission from Mrs Oliver, but she isn’t going to be here today.’
‘Even if she was, she couldn’t stop me. I’m going out whether you like it or not. If you won’t call me a taxi, I’ll walk until I find one, however painful,’ she said, stuffing her old-fashioned black hat onto her head.
‘You can’t walk in this weather. You’ll be soaked in minutes.’
‘Then call me a taxi.’
‘All right,’ she said at last, ‘but it might cost me my job.’
‘Not if you tell her that my grandson was with me,’ Connie said slyly.
‘Yes, yes, I’ll do that,’ she said, looking a little happier as she fastening the buttons on Connie’s coat before at last going to arrange a taxi.
When they arrived at the hospital, Connie didn’t ask the taxi driver to wait. It would cost the earth and she’d find another one to drive her back to the home. The building was large, and it took an effort just to walk to the enquiry desk. When told that Pearl was on the first floor, she looked around, glad to see a lift, and struggled towards it.
At last she found the ward, and though it was ten minutes before visiting hours, Connie managed to walk inside without being challenged. Pearl was in the second bed. Her joints screaming in pain now, Connie walked up to it. She was aware of the look of surprise on Pearl’s face, but seeing a chair at an angle to the bed, Connie gratefully sat down.
‘I’m surprised to see you here,’ Pearl said, unsmiling.
‘Yeah, no doubt, but I had to come. I owe you an apology, I know that now. If I could take back the things I said to that reporter, I would.’
Pearl frowned. ‘I don’t understand. What reporter?’
‘Oh no! Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the local paper?’
‘I haven’t. Are you saying there’s a story about me in it, one you gave them?’
‘Yes,’ Connie admitted, ‘but I’m going to get hold of that reporter again, tell him I made it all up and they’ll have to print that too.’
‘There’s Derek now – perhaps he’ll have a copy,’ Pearl said.
Connie tensed and her grandson’s voice sounded harsh to her ears. ‘Gran, what are you doing here?’
‘I … I came to apologise, to tell Pearl that I’m sorry about that story in the paper.’
‘We’ve been trying to keep it from her, but now you’ve gone and blabbed.’
‘I didn’t know that,’ Connie protested. ‘I feel awful about it, but I’m going to try to put things right.’
‘It’s a bit late for that,’ he snapped. ‘Just get out
of here, Gran.’
Connie nodded and struggled to her feet. As she did so, her eyes met those of the young lad standing beside Derek and she gasped. It was like seeing a ghost, but of course it wasn’t Kevin Dolby. This must be his son.
The effort of getting here had taken its toll and Connie felt her knees giving way. The lad rushed to her side to help her, and gratefully she said, ‘Thanks, love.’
‘You shouldn’t have said those things about my mum.’
‘I know, and I’m sorry.’
Pearl said, ‘Connie, sit down.’
‘No, I want her out of here,’ Derek said. ‘If you’d read the paper, you would too.’
‘Derek, I can guess what’s in the paper and no doubt my name is mud, but nevertheless your gran looks awful. She needs to rest.’
‘The mud hasn’t stuck,’ Derek said. ‘Most people don’t believe a word of it and those that do can take a jump.’
‘After what we’ve been through, a bit of gossip is nothing. It won’t bother me, and at the moment I’m more concerned about your gran,’ Pearl said firmly. ‘Now do sit down, Connie.’
‘Th … thanks, Pearl,’ she said, unable to stay on her feet for a moment longer. She wanted to leave, hating the way Derek was looking at her, but doubted she’d make it to the end of the ward.
‘Pearl, I’m going to the waiting room and out of my gran’s way,’ Derek said. ‘I’ll send your mum in.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ John said, both leaving without sparing Connie another glance.
Connie’s eyes flooded with tears and she tried to blink them away. She said nothing for a few minutes, thinking only that she had failed. She then spoke hesitantly to Pearl. ‘I … I hoped that if I came to see you first and we could make things up, that Derek would forgive me.’
‘So it’s Derek’s forgiveness you’re really seeking, not my daughter’s,’ came a sharp voice.
Connie looked up at the woman who had joined them. Pearl’s mother was a frail woman, but there was steel in her eyes.
‘Mum, please,’ Pearl said, ‘it doesn’t matter. Whatever Connie’s motives were, at least she’s apologised. There’s been enough unhappiness in our lives and with funerals to arrange when I come home, it isn’t over yet.’
‘All right, darling, against my better judgement I’ll say no more,’ Emily said, presenting her back to Connie as she took Pearl’s hand. ‘Now tell me, did you manage to walk a little further today?’
‘Yes, to the end of the ward.’
‘Well done! As you know, I’m going to Winchester in the morning, but I’ll be back after work on Friday. Who knows, you may even be home by then.’
‘That would be wonderful,’ Pearl said, ‘but we’ll have to wait and see.’
‘We feared you’d remain paralysed and I’m just overjoyed that you’re able to walk again.’
Connie felt excluded from the conversation, but it began to dawn on her just how ill Pearl had been. She hadn’t spared a thought to the fact that Pearl was still recovering in hospital when she had spat out her story to the reporter. ‘Oh, God,’ she whispered. ‘I’m an awful, wicked, wicked woman.’
‘Sorry, Connie, what did you say?’ Pearl asked.
‘I said I’m a wicked old woman. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I really am sorry, so very sorry. I … I’ll go now.’
Connie struggled to her feet, and though Pearl urged her to stay, she shook her head. It took some doing, but she managed to leave the ward and find the lift.
What Connie didn’t know was that Emily had hurried to find Derek, and that after telling him what had happened, he would come to find her. She got into the lift, her heart aching as it descended, but as she hobbled slowly across to the exit, a hand cupped her elbow.
‘Come on, Gran, I’ll give you a lift.’
‘Derek!’
‘It seems that both Pearl and my mother-in-law think I should forgive you. Now I might be prepared to argue with one woman, but not two.’
Connie looked up at her grandson. ‘I really am sorry, Derek.’
‘Gran, I’m not going to find it easy and it might take a bit of time, but as Pearl wants it, I’ll do my best to put this all behind us. Now let’s get you back to that home.’
Connie knew she didn’t deserve it, but thanks to Pearl she had her grandson back. She would still tell that reporter that the story she’d told him was a load of codswallop and he’d better print it or he’d wonder what hit him.
Chapter Fifty-Five
‘Don’t look so nervous,’ Eddie said as he drove Lucy to meet his parents on Sunday.
‘You’ve hardly mentioned them. What are they like?’ Lucy asked.
‘My dad’s a bit of a joker and my mum sometimes pretends to be posh, but she can’t keep it up.’
‘Have you told them about me – about Clive?’
‘Yeah, and they’re looking forward to meeting you both.’
‘I’m still nervous,’ Lucy said worriedly.
‘Don’t be, they’ll love you,’ Eddie assured. He’d rung to say they were coming, but they didn’t yet know that he and Lucy were now engaged. The summer season was well over and Brighton was a bit bleak on this cold October day. His parents lived near Black Rock and he took a left turn into their street. ‘Right, here we are. Come on, Clive, hop out.’
It was his dad who opened the door, smiling a welcome. ‘Hello, sonny boy.’
‘Dad, this is Lucy and her son, Clive.’
‘Hello there, come on in,’ he welcomed.
‘It’s nice to meet you, Mr White,’ Lucy said shyly.
‘George, call me George.’
When they walked into the living room, Eddie saw that his mother was dressed up to the nines, her dyed blonde hair pinned up on top of her head.
‘Mum, this is Lucy, and her son, Clive.’
‘How nice to meet you,’ she said formally.
Eddie had to smile at his mum putting on the airs and graces. She was always the same, but now he knocked the wind from her sails.
‘Mum, Dad, Lucy and me, we’re getting married.’
‘Well, stone the crows,’ his mother blurted out, all traces of her posh accent instantly gone.
‘Now, fancy dropping a bombshell like that without warning,’ George said. ‘Still, congratulations to the pair of you. I reckon this calls for a toast, Peggy.’
‘Yeah, it does, and what about you, love?’ she asked Clive. ‘Do you fancy a glass of lemonade?’
‘Yes, please,’ he said.
Eddie followed his mother into the kitchen where she said, ‘Are you sure about this, Eddie? You’re taking on another man’s kid.’
‘I’m sure, Mum. I love Lucy and Clive is part of the package. Not that I mind. He’s a smashing lad.’
‘When are you getting married?’
‘Early next year,’ he told her as they returned to the living room.
‘Now then,’ George said as he handed out small glasses. ‘There’s only a bottle of your mum’s sherry but as you sprung this on us without warning, it’ll have to do. Here’s to the pair of you.’
Lucy began to relax when Peggy started to chat to her about the wedding, and finding a pack of cards, George played snap with Clive. It was a nice visit, and at four o’clock they left to drive back to London.
‘Your mum’s nice,’ Lucy said. ‘Your dad too.’
‘They took to you and you’re part of the family now.’
Lucy smiled happily and Eddie was content.
They had been to see Pearl earlier, and now Emily was going to drive back to Winchester. She came into the room, suitcase in hand, and he said, ‘You’re off then.’
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but I’ll drive down again on Friday evening and stay for the weekend.’
‘Did you hear that, John? We may have to put up with your gran again, but at least we’ll still get our Sunday roast.’
‘Very funny,’ Emily said, ‘but seriously, will you be able to cope with Nora?’
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br /> ‘Lucy’s here for most of the day during the week, and that only leaves weekends when you’ll be here again. We’ll be fine, won’t we, John?’
‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘Right, then,’ Emily said. ‘I’ll go and find Nora to say goodbye.’
‘No doubt she’ll be cleaning something somewhere.’
‘I know, Derek. She’s really is a treasure, isn’t she?’
‘I must admit I wasn’t keen on taking her on, but I don’t feel like that now. She’s always going to be like a child, if a rather large one, but I’ve grown fond of her.’
‘It’s hard not to,’ Emily said, then went to find Nora.
Derek sighed. ‘Well, John, it’s back to school for you in the morning.’
‘I know.’
‘Don’t look so downhearted. I know your gran’s leaving, but things are on the up now. Your mum’s going to be fine and with any luck she’ll be home soon.’
It wasn’t long before Emily returned. ‘I’ve said goodbye to Nora so would one of you carry that case to my car?’
‘I’ll do it,’ John offered.
Derek walked across to enfold Emily in his arms. ‘Bye, Emily, and all joking aside, I’m going to miss you.’
As he let her go, Emily patted his cheek. ‘It’ll be Friday before you know it. Now come on, John,’ she said brusquely, ‘pick up that case and let’s go.’
Derek wasn’t fooled. He could tell that Emily was feeling a little emotional, so for her benefit he planted a smile on his face. ‘See you soon,’ he called and she managed a smile in return before leaving the room.
When John came back he too looked a bit upset, but Derek decided to snap him out of it by suggesting they go for a drive.
‘I’ll get my camera,’ he said, perking up at the thought.
‘While you do that, I’ll chivy Nora into getting her coat on.’
They were soon on their way, and Derek decided to head for Epsom Downs. It wasn’t too far to drive, and the area might interest John.
When they arrived on the Downs it was windy and cold, but it didn’t seem to bother John as he snapped away. Nora romped around like a big kid, doing the occasional front tumble, and Derek had to smile at her antics.